Interdisciplinary Studies | Faculty of Arts

Program overview

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Create your own individualized, cutting-edge degree tailored to your interests and future aspirations.

The BA in Interdisciplinary Studies provides you with unparalleled opportunities to discover your passions and supports you in building an academic program around your own areas of interest—while staying focused on real-world relevance and long-term career goals.

Whether you're drawn to social change, teaching, entrepreneurship, environmental advocacy, healthcare, counseling, government, or research, the BA in Interdisciplinary Studies gives you the freedom and support to chart your own path.

Why choose this program

Tailored Education: Craft a personalized degree that aligns with your interests and aspirations.

Exploration and Discovery: The BA in Interdisciplinary Studies encourages self-discovery and exploration, fostering a deep understanding of personal passions.

Diverse Career Paths: Whether you aim to make a difference in society, pursue teaching, entrepreneurship, environmental advocacy, health care, social work, government roles or research, this program offers versatile pathways.

Multifaceted Problem Solving: By acknowledging the complexity of contemporary challenges, the program equips students to tackle diverse issues by integrating various perspectives.

Program structure

Get a glimpse into how uOttawa’s the Interdisciplinary Studies program is structured and the courses you’ll have the opportunity to take.

Understand program path and options

View course catalogue

Browse program options

The 4-year program (120 units) offers a deeper academic experience and includes opportunities for advanced study in your final year—ideal if you're thinking about further academic work.

Program structure

Course sequence

Admission requirements and deadlines for Interdisciplinary Studies

Your highest level of education: *

Your education system: *

Select a program: *

The interdisciplinary advantage

The most pressing challenges of our time—climate change, inequality, technological disruption, and more—can’t be solved by any one discipline. These are complex, interconnected problems that demand insights from across the sciences, humanities, and arts. Interdisciplinary Studies equips you to think across boundaries, stay curious, and channel your creativity into a purposeful, career-ready degree.

Unlike traditional programs that confine you to a single area of study, Interdisciplinary Studies lets you build a personalized degree by combining Minors and Microprograms. This flexible structure allows you to explore a range of fields, follow your passions, and develop multiple areas of expertise. If at any point you decide to focus more deeply—by adding a Major, for example—you’re welcome to do so, provided you meet the admission requirements.

Not sure how to begin? You’ll get step-by-step guidance in AHL1100 Build Your Interdisciplinary Degree—a foundational course designed to help you explore your options and create a degree path that reflects your interests and goals. You’ll work closely with your professor and peers to shape a meaningful, future-focused academic plan.

Note: There are several sections of AHL1100. Be sure to register for the one with the subtitle “Build Your Interdisciplinary Degree”—this is the version tailored for students in the Interdisciplinary Studies program.

Start now by exploring the Minors, Microprograms, and Majors below. These will serve as the building blocks for your custom-designed, passion-driven degree.

English (ENG)
Interdisciplinary Studies in Arts, Humanities and Languages (AHL) (Only AHL 1100 and AHL 1900 qualify as basic skills courses)
Philosophy (PHI)

What are AHL courses? A course that allows you to expand your horizons, to confront views from different fields, and to engage in the urgent debates of today and tomorrow. Each year our professors offer courses under the interdisciplinary course code AHL, which you can choose as electives in your program.

Sample Programs

The BA in Interdisciplinary Studies is designed to be flexible so you can build a degree around your interests and career goals. There’s no one path—and that’s the point.

Below are a few illustrative combinations of minors, microprograms, and electives tailored to various career directions, each based on a four-year, 120-unit degree. These are just suggestions to help you imagine the possibilities.

Note: A 3-year degree is also possible. Students can scale back the number of minors or electives to complete a strong academic program with 90 units. Many professional programs (including some teacher’s colleges and law schools) only require three years of undergraduate study.

4 years120 units

BA with Minor in Environmental Studies + Three Microprograms

Basic skills courses: 12 units
English (ENG), Philosophy (PHI), Arts, Humanities and Languages (AHL)

Core Course: AHL1000 Build Your Interdisciplinary Degree (3 units)

Minor in Environmental Studies: 30 units

Microprogram 1: Geomatics and Spatial Analysis: 12 units

Microprogram 2: Entrepreneurship, Creativity and Social Innovation: 18 units

Microprogram 3: Animal Studies: 12 units

Elective courses: 33 units

4 years120 units

BA with double Minor Public Administration + French as a Second Language Studies

Basic skills courses: 12 units
English (ENG), Philosophy (PHI), Arts, Humanities and Languages (AHL)

Core Course: AHL1000 Build Your Interdisciplinary Degree (3 units)

Minor: Public Administration: 30 units

Minor: French as a Second Language: 30 units

Microprogram: Arts Administration: 9 units

Elective courses: 36 units

4 years120 units

BA with Minor in Communication + Microprogram in Digital Humanities

Basic skills courses: 12 units
English (ENG), Philosophy (PHI), Arts, Humanities and Languages (AHL)

Core Course: AHL1000 Build Your Interdisciplinary Degree (3 units)

Minor in Communication: 30 units

Minor in Creative Writing: 30 units

Microprogram in Digital Humanities: 12 units

Elective courses: 33 units

4 years120 units

BA with double Minor in Society, Health & Spirituality + Psychology + two Microprograms

Basic skills courses: 12 units
English (ENG), Philosophy (PHI), Arts, Humanities and Languages (AHL)

Core Course: AHL1000 Build Your Interdisciplinary Degree (3 units)

Minor: Health Sciences or Minor in Psychology: 30 units

Minor: Society, Heath & Spirituality*: 30 units

Microprogram: Mindfulness & Contemplative Sciences: 12 units

Microprogram: End of Life Studies: 12 units

Elective Courses: 18 units

(*to be launched in Fall 2026)

4 years120 units

BA with double minor in History + Anthropology + Major in Indigenous Studies

Basic skills courses: 12 units
English (ENG), Philosophy (PHI), Arts, Humanities and Languages (AHL)

Core Course: AHL1000 Build Your Interdisciplinary Degree (3 units)

Minor 1: History: 30 units

Minor 2: Anthropology*: 30 units

Major: Indigenous Studies: 42 units

Elective Courses: 3 units

*Offered at the Faculty of Social Sciences

More Sample Programs

Basic Skills Courses: 12 units (English, Philosophy, Arts, Humanities and Languages)

Core Course: AHL1000 Build Your Interdisciplinary Degree (3 units)

Minor in Communications (30 units)
Minor in Visual Arts or Music (30 units)
Minor in Creative Writing, Film Studies, or Digital Humanities (30 units)
Electives (15 units)

This pathway could lead to careers in: media production, arts administration, content creation, creative direction, cultural programming, or launching your own studio or platform.

After your studies

After completing your undergraduate studies in Interdisciplinary Studies, you have two main paths to consider: continuing your education or entering the workforce.

You may choose to pursue graduate studies, such as a Master’s degree (MA), to deepen your knowledge and develop advanced research, analytical, and critical thinking skills. A research‑based MA is ideal if you are interested in specializing in a specific topic or eventually pursuing a PhD, while other master’s options may offer a more practical approach, including opportunities to gain professional experience through co‑op placements.

Alternatively, you can move directly into the job market. Your degree can lead to a variety of careers, including roles such as communications officer, project coordinator, academic program officer, or consulting analyst. These opportunities allow you to apply your strengths in writing, critical thinking, and communication in real‑world settings.

Whether you choose to continue your studies or begin your career, your degree provides a strong foundation for success in a wide range of fields.

Potential Career Paths

Tuition and fees

Learn about the costs associated with your program and explore the scholarships and funding options available to help support you along the way.

Tuition fees

Scholarships and bursaries

Student experience

Student Association of the Faculty of Arts (SAFA)

SAFA represents the interests of undergraduate students of the Faculty of Arts within the UOSU, the Faculty, the University, the community, and the provincial and federal governments. The students’ association also works to foster a sense of community through social, academic, and cultural events, while at the same time offering a variety of services to its members.

Study abroad

Thinking about going on an exchange? Discover everything you need to know — from eligibility and our partner institutions to required documents and how to apply.

Work-Study Program

The Work-Study Program is a great way to combine work and a university education: you work part time during the school year and full time over the summer. Since you work on campus, you minimize travel time to and from class and benefit from a flexible schedule that allows you to really prioritize your studies.